The Role of Earth Observation for Managing Biodiversity and Disasters in Mesoamerica: Past, Present, and Future

The accuracy of the Qibla direction at the Baitul Makmur Great Mosque in West Aceh cannot tolerate. The reason is that the value of deviation is so high that it does not face ainul ka'bah or even jihatul ka'bah. This Qiblah direction is not by the minimum limit of tolerance for the variation of the Qibla direction and is not by the Islamic legal status. This study examines the causes of the inaccuracy of the Qibla of the Great Mosque of Baitul Makmur Meulaboh West Aceh, namely the lack of role of figures and efforts to maintain the architecture of the mosque building. This research belongs to qualitative field research, by verifying the direction of the Qiblah with the rashdul qibla method and google earth observation to explore causes of inaccuracy. Interview techniques are also used to obtain in-depth field data. The analysis technique used is descriptive analysis. This study indicates that the inaccuracy of the Qibla direction of the Baitul Makmur Great Mosque in West Aceh is inseparable from the minor role of religious figures and leaders at the beginning of the Mosque's construction. Until now, the direction of the Mosque's Qiblah is still parallel to the mihrab. Renovations were also not carried out because of maintaining the architecture of the mosque building. Renovation of the mosque building to calibrate the Qibla direction would reduce the aesthetics of the mosque building.

Download Full-text

The Role of Earth Observation Satellites in Maximizing Renewable Energy Production: Case Studies Analysis for Renewable Power Plants

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12052062 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 2062 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mariarosa Argentiero ◽

Pasquale Marcello Falcone

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Case Studies ◽

Energy Production ◽

Power Plants ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Energy Generation ◽

Earth Observation ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Renewable Energy Production

This paper is based on a novel approach towards clean energy production, i.e., space innovative applications toward sustainable development. Specifically, the role of Earth observation (EO) satellites in maximizing renewable energy production is considered to show the enormous potential in exploiting sustainable energy generation plants when the Earth is mapped by satellites to provide some peculiar parameters (e.g., solar irradiance, wind speed, precipitation, climate conditions, geothermal data). In this framework, RETScreen clean energy management software can be used for numerical analysis, such as energy generation and efficiency, prices, emission reductions, financial viability and hazard of various types of renewable-energy and energy-efficient technologies (RETs), based on a large database of satellite parameters. This simplifies initial assessments and provides streamlined processes that enable funders, architects, designers, regulators, etc. to make decisions on future clean energy initiatives. After describing the logic of life cycle analysis of RETScreen, two case studies (Mexicali and Toronto) on multiple technologies power plant are analyzed. The different results obtained, when projecting the two scenarios, showed how the software could be useful in the pre-feasibility phase to discriminate the type of installation not efficient for the selected location or not convenient in terms of internal rate of return (IRR) on equity.

Download Full-text

The Role of Earth Observation on Environmental Management in Africa

Africa Insight ◽

10.4314/ai.v40i2.64376 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

Author(s):

O Mutanga ◽

V Bangamwabo

Keyword(s):

Environmental Management ◽

Earth Observation

Download Full-text

The Role of Earth Observation, with a Focus on SAR Interferometry, for Sinkhole Hazard Assessment

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs10101506 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1506 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Andre Theron ◽

Jeanine Engelbrecht

Keyword(s):

Hazard Assessment ◽

Earth Observation ◽

Sar Interferometry ◽

Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽

Small Scale ◽

Collapse Sinkhole ◽

Geomorphic Features ◽

Remote Sensing Techniques ◽

Sinkhole Hazard

Sinkholes are global phenomena with significant consequences on the natural- and built environment. Significant efforts have been devoted to the assessment of sinkhole hazards to predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of future sinkholes as well as to detect small-scale deformation prior to collapse. Sinkhole hazard maps are created by considering the distribution of past sinkholes in conjunction with their geomorphic features, controlling conditions and triggering mechanisms. Quantitative risk assessment then involves the statistical analysis of sinkhole events in relation to these conditions with the aim of identifying high risk areas. Remote sensing techniques contribute to the field of sinkhole hazard assessment by providing tools for the population of sinkhole inventories and lend themselves to the monitoring of precursory deformation prior to sinkhole development. In this paper, we outline the background to sinkhole formation and sinkhole hazard assessment. We provide a review of earth observation techniques, both for the compilation of sinkhole inventories as well as the monitoring of precursors to sinkhole development. We discuss the advantages and limitations of these approaches and conclude by highlighting the potential role of radar interferometry in the early detection of sinkhole-induced instability resulting in a potential decrease in the risk to human lives and infrastructure by enabling proactive remediation.

Download Full-text

Monitoring the Sustainable Intensification of Arable Agriculture: the Potential Role of Earth Observation

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation ◽

10.1016/j.jag.2019.05.013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 81 ◽

pp. 125-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Merryn L. Hunt ◽

George Alan Blackburn ◽

Clare S. Rowland

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Earth Observation ◽

Sustainable Intensification

Download Full-text